Editors’ Choices: Weekend Highlights Featuring Nations League Second Legs

This weekend, while club football takes a hiatus, there’s still a wealth of sporting action to savour, from the international football stage to basketball, cycling, and cricket.

Here are the key events our editors have their eyes on this weekend:

Saturday, March 22nd

Milan-Sanremo – 10:25 CET

It feels like just yesterday that the cycling season kicked off down under in January, and now we’re gearing up for the season’s first monument – Milan-Sanremo.

This spring classic, stretching 289 kilometres along Italy’s northern coast, is the longest race of the year, but it’s the final 70 kilometres where the action really heats up. What makes this finale so thrilling is its unpredictability – any rider, whether they excel at climbing, punchy efforts, or sprinting, stands a chance of victory.

The start list reflects this unpredictability, featuring titans like world champion Tadej Pogacar, Mathieu van der Poel, and Tom Pidcock. Each will be keen to stake their claim on the race’s final ascent up the Poggio, which peaks just seven kilometres from the finish.

The sprinters will be hoping to tackle that climb and save their energy for a sprint finish on Via Roma. Riders such as Jasper Phillipsen, a teammate of Van Der Poel, Mads Pedersen, and Olav Kooij will be looking to keep the pack together over the Poggio.

Hopes for the home crowd rest on time-trial specialist Filippo Ganna. The Ineos Grenadiers rider has shown excellent form in recent weeks, and he could well pull off a surprise.

With such a mixed bag of competitors, this race is bound to be exciting, so don’t forget to settle in on Saturday afternoon for some breathtaking scenery and, hopefully, thrilling racing.

Josh Donaldson

Kolkata Knight Riders vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru – 15:00 CET 

For cricket lovers, especially those in India, one tournament reigns supreme amid the array of Twenty20 franchise leagues – the Indian Premier League (IPL). No league on the planet enjoys a dedicated window where international cricket generally pauses, allowing it to attract the world’s best players.

There are numerous reasons for its prominence, but the result is clear: all eyes in the cricketing world turn to India for this tournament from its initiation (this weekend) until the grand final in late May.

Saturday marks a spectacular kickoff as last season’s champions, Kolkata Knight Riders, take on Virat Kohli and the Royal Challengers Bengaluru at the historic Eden Gardens. It’s a lengthy tournament, but both teams will be eager to build early momentum with a solid performance.

Interestingly, both teams have undergone significant changes since the recent mega auction, with new captains at the helm – Ajinkya Rahane (KKR) and Rajat Patidar (RCB). However, familiar faces like Kohli and KKR’s dynamic West Indian pair, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine (last season’s impressive MVP), will still be in action.

The silver lining for cricket die-hards is that if you miss this match, Sunday features a big double-header with Sunrisers Hyderabad facing the Rajasthan Royals, followed by the Chennai Super Kings against the Mumbai Indians. And following that? Get ready for nearly daily games, with double-headers on weekends picking up the pace until the finale. Bring it on!

Pat Dempsey

England vs Albania – 20:45 CET

Typically, an England vs Albania match might fly under the radar, but this edition shines with significance, as it represents the debut match for a manager whose appointment marks a monumental shift in international football.

Thomas Tuchel venturing into international management is undoubtedly a headline in itself, especially with him taking charge of England. Armed with an impressive squad, he has the potential to forge an unstoppable force, potentially guiding the Three Lions to World Cup glory once again.

However, perspectives might shift after the German tactician selected a squad that has drawn mixed reactions. His decision to reintroduce Jordan Henderson while leaving out James Maddison and Adam Wharton raised eyebrows, and his exclusion of Jarrad Branthwaite didn’t help either.

Such decisions have raised concerns that Tuchel might hinder the emergence of exciting talent, echoing sentiments towards his predecessor Gareth Southgate’s conservative tactics. Yet, Tuchel has admonished the squad for being overly “afraid” during Euro 2024, promising a shift towards a more “exciting” and “hungry” approach.

Actions will speak louder than words; with mounting pressure from fans criticising his squad selection and some preferring a homegrown manager, he’ll need to make a strong statement in a critical match that may set the tone for the national side in the coming years.

Finley Crebolder

March Madness – from 17:15 CET

The opening day of March Madness saw only two upsets, with (#12) McNeese St. defeating (#5) Clemson and (#11) Drake overcoming (#6) Missouri. If your bracket held up well, you’re in a good spot heading into the next round.

The second day of the Round of 64 brings a host of potential upsets, featuring matchups such as (#11) University of North Carolina versus (#6) Ole Miss, (#10) Vanderbilt against (#5) St. Mary’s, and (#12) Colorado State facing (#5) Memphis, among others.

The initial slate of games left much to be desired, with many turning into one-sided affairs, but hopefully, the next set proves to be a nail-biting continuation of the Round of 64 we know and love.

My upset pick for day two is (#11) Xavier to triumph over (#6) Illinois as they aim to build on their momentum from the play-in game win.

Despite most top seeds managing to progress, which can dull the excitement for the first round, let’s hope for a few more thrilling upsets!

Eric Himmelheber

Sunday, March 23rd

Nations League quarter-final second legs – 20:45 CET

The quarter-finals of the Nations League have set the stage for thrilling contests after tightly contested first legs, with everything to play for this Sunday evening.

Surprisingly, the nation facing the largest challenge is France, having been dazed with a 2-0 defeat by Croatia on Thursday night. Didier Deschamps’ lads have often struggled to match their undeniable talent, a pattern that resurfaced against Croatia. They now face a daunting task in Paris as they seek to overturn that deficit and secure a semi-final spot, yet they possess the quality to do just that.

In another tie, Denmark pulled off a minor upset with Rasmus Hojlund emerging from the bench to net the only goal in Copenhagen. This result sets up a tense second leg in Portugal, where the home side must conjure a comeback to avoid a shocking exit.

Italy, too, find themselves in a tricky spot following a home loss to Germany, where a stellar performance from veteran Joshua Kimmich defined the night. The first leg showed that Germany is vulnerable to counter-attacks, suggesting that this storied rivalry is far from finished.

Lastly, Spain managed to secure a dramatic equaliser from Mikel Merino, resulting in a 2-2 draw against the Netherlands in Amsterdam, setting the stage for a captivating return leg. Both teams are known for their attractive attacking play, promising goals and plenty of excitement in this must-see encounter.

Harry Dunnett